Las Palmas holidays

There are two sides to Las Palmas holidays – you’ve got Las Canteras Beach and the old town, Vegueta. While the coast offers golden sands and surfing, the city centre is defined by the pedestrian shopping street of Calle Triana and the Gothic-style Santa Ana Cathedral.

Cosmopolitan capital

Sitting on Gran Canaria’s brow, Las Palmas is a fitting capital for such a beach-blanketed isle. Two good-looking swathes of sand unravel for around four kilometres. It’s not all about the coast, though. You’ll also find chic boutiques, bazaar-like streets and elegant squares to boot.

Big beaches

It’s easy to substitute sightseeing for sunbathing in Las Palmas. The city comes with a double helping of picturesque bays. Playa de las Canteras, in particular, is rated as one of the best urban beaches in Europe. Plus, it’s a bit of a two-sided coin – you’ve got surf schools to the south and calm, reef-filled waters in the north.

City sightseeing

It’s worth taking some time to explore Las Palmas’ pretty old quarter, Vegueta. Here, you can climb up Santa Ana cathedral, stroll past handsome monuments and check out the Christopher Columbus museum, where the great explorer is said to have stayed. Meanwhile, 20 minutes’ drive out of the city gets you to the Caldera de Bandama – a huge, 2,000-year-old volcanic crater.